What medications should not be stopped abruptly?

Below, we'll talk about 10 medications that may lead to serious problems if stopped abruptly.
  • Clonidine (Catapres, Catapres-TTS) ...
  • Propranolol (Inderal) and other blood pressure medications. ...
  • Venlafaxine (Effexor, Effexor XR) ...
  • Paroxetine (Paxil) ...
  • Benzodiazepines. ...
  • Topiramate (Topamax) ...
  • Gabapentin (Neurontin)
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Why is it important not to abruptly discontinue some medications?

Abrupt discontinuation of many other drugs used in medicine cause withdrawal syndromes, some of which can be fatal. Discontinuation of a number of cardiovascular drugs can increase risk of cardiovascular events above that of people not taking these drugs.
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What happens if you stop taking blood pressure medication suddenly?

Stopping these medications can cause rebound hypertension or cause your heart to beat dangerously fast.
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What medicines should be locked up?

Controlled substances such as narcotics, opioids and sleeping aids must be locked away in a hidden place in your home to protect children, teens and any person who has access to your home. Don't keep them in the family medicine cabinet where their access cannot be monitored 24/7.
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Can gabapentin be stopped abruptly?

In addition, people who are taking gabapentin for seizures and suddenly stop taking it may experience a rebound in or increased frequency of seizure activity, including continuous, uncontrollable seizures (status epilepticus). Withdrawal usually occurs within 12 hours to 7 days after quitting the medication.
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5 tips for when you want to come off your medication | #AskMind - Episode 1



What are the dangers of using gabapentin?

Gabapentin may cause vision changes, clumsiness, unsteadiness, dizziness, drowsiness, sleepiness, or trouble with thinking. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert, well-coordinated, or able to think or see well.
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Is gabapentin a narcotic?

Gabapentin is not a narcotic. It's not classified as a controlled substance in most states. (Kentucky, West Virginia, Michigan, Tennessee, and Virginia have reclassified gabapentin as a Schedule V controlled substance). Gabapentin is not an opioid.
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Which medicines should not be taken together?

Specifically, drugs that slow down breathing rate, such as opioids, alcohol, antihistamines, CNS depressants, or general anesthetics, should not be taken together because these combinations increase the risk of life-threatening respiratory depression.
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Does lorazepam need to be locked away?

a prescription for lorazepam must be dispensed within 28 days (you can keep most other prescriptions for six months) if you must take it to school, it might have to be locked in a safe place.
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Is Ativan a controlled substance?

Schedule IV Controlled Substances

Examples of Schedule IV substances include: alprazolam (Xanax®), carisoprodol (Soma®), clonazepam (Klonopin®), clorazepate (Tranxene®), diazepam (Valium®), lorazepam (Ativan®), midazolam (Versed®), temazepam (Restoril®), and triazolam (Halcion®).
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What blood pressure medications should be avoided?

High Blood Pressure: Over-the-Counter Medicines to Avoid
  • Decongestants, such as those that contain pseudoephedrine.
  • Pain medicines (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen.
  • Cold and influenza (flu) medicines. ...
  • Some antacids and other stomach medicines. ...
  • Some natural health products.
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When should elderly stop taking BP meds?

It may be safe to stop antihypertensive medications in older people who are taking the medication for high blood pressure or primary prevention of heart disease. Older adults should not stop any of their medications without talking to a healthcare professional.
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What is the safest blood pressure medicine for the elderly?

Low-dose thiazide diuretics remain first-line therapy for older patients. Beta blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin-receptor blockers, and calcium channel blockers are second-line medications that should be selected based on comorbidities and risk factors.
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Why should beta-blockers not be stopped abruptly?

You shouldn't abruptly stop taking a beta blocker because doing so could increase your risk of a heart attack or other heart problem.
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Which drugs can cause rebound hypertension?

Medications commonly associated with rebound hypertension include centrally-acting antihypertensive agents, such as clonidine and beta-blockers.
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Can a nurse tell a patient to stop taking a medication?

Only a physician or other provider authorized by state law to write physician orders has the legal authority to discontinue a physician order. In no state is a registered nurse authorized to write, or discontinue, physician orders.
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What drugs Cannot be taken with lorazepam?

What Other Medications May Interact With Lorazepam?
  • Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl®)
  • Narcotic pain medication such as morphine, oxycodone (OxyContin®), and hydrocodone (Vicodin® and Lortab®)
  • Opioid cough medications such as codeine cough syrup.
  • Sleeping medications such as zolpidem (Ambien®)
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What is end of life medication called?

Anticipatory medicines are sometimes also called end of life medicines or just in case medicines. It's common to prescribe medicine for pain, anxiety and agitation, nausea and vomiting and noisy respiratory secretions.
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What are the four end of life drugs?

We found a high level of consensus among the international clinical PC experts that morphine, midazolam, haloperidol, and an antimuscarinic drug should be available in all settings in which patients are cared for in the last days of life.
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What medications should be avoided in the elderly?

Here are seven common types of anticholinergic medication that older adults should avoid, or use with caution:
  • Sedating antihistamines. ...
  • PM versions of over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers. ...
  • Medications for overactive bladder. ...
  • Medications for vertigo or motion sickness. ...
  • Medications for itching. ...
  • Medications for nerve pain.
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What should you not mix with acetaminophen?

Key takeaways:
  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be dangerous when taken with other medications that contain acetaminophen. ...
  • Taking acetaminophen and drinking alcohol in large amounts can be risky. ...
  • Acetaminophen can also interact with warfarin, some seizure medications, and isoniazid.
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What painkillers should you not mix?

It's safe to take ibuprofen with paracetamol or codeine. But do not take ibuprofen with similar painkillers like aspirin or naproxen without talking to a pharmacist or doctor. Ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen belong to the same group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
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Is oxycodone the same as Percocet?

What's the difference between Percocet and oxycodone-CR products? Both Percocet and oxycodone-CR products relieve pain, but while Percocet gives relief for about five hours, the effects of oxycodone-CR last for about 12 hours, when taken as prescribed.
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Is there a lawsuit against gabapentin?

The Neurontin class action lawsuit alleged the defendants violated the law by promoting Neurontin for various uses that were not approved by the U. According to the class action lawsuit, Neurontin was approved by the FDA as an adjunctive therapy for adult epilepsy and for the treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia.
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Is gabapentin considered a strong painkiller?

Official answer. Gabapentin is commonly used to treat some types of nerve pain but is classified as an anticonvulsant medicine, not as an opioid or painkiller.
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